Stories from Saturday, November 30, 2002

10 years ago: Nov. 30, 1992 Study of federal office space needs in Cape Girardeau recommends that new federal building be built here and that existing facility be renovated and used for bankruptcy court and other federal offices. Grand opening planned in few weeks is sure to be splashy, but best news for area swimmers is that bubble is back; Cape Girardeau Central High School municipal pool reopens today, exactly three months after closing for renovations and replacement of synthetic bubble which has enveloped pool for past 12 years.. ...

WASHINGTON -- The State Department, responding to the terrorist attacks in Kenya, said Friday that Americans in there should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners. In a public announcement, the department said Thursday's attacks "have highlighted the continuing threat posed by terrorism in East Africa and the capacity of terrorist groups to carry out attacks."...

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military command scrambled fighter jets in response to unverified reports of an airborne condensation trail, or contrail, moving from the Caribbean to the United States, defense officials said Thursday. But the jets that were scrambled to attempt to intercept and identify the source of the contrail found nothing...

WASHINGTON -- Pollsters face a growing number of obstacles while doing their work -- such as the rapid growth of cell phone use, caller-ID technology and answering machines, combined with the public's growing resistance to opinion surveys. Most agree, however, that those forces have not yet crippled telephone polls. ...

WASHINGTON -- The broad-based antitrust fight against Microsoft Corp. dwindled Friday to Massachusetts versus the software giant, as seven other states announced they would accept the landmark settlement reached by the company and the Bush administration...

WASHINGTON -- Al Gore has an advantage among Democratic presidential hopefuls should he decide to run for president in 2004, polls suggest, but public sentiment about the former vice president is mixed. When Democrats are given a list of possible candidates for the party's nomination, Gore routinely comes out well ahead of the others. ...

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. -- A Lee's Summit man says he's ready to patent an idea that could greatly improve fuel economy for mass transit. He just needs to find someone to build it. Mike Blood, 44, doesn't have a college degree. But the welder holds a passion for figuring out how things work...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With its payouts greatly exceeding its receipts, the Missouri unemployment insurance trust fund will have to borrow from a federal bailout fund early next year, state officials said. Heightened unemployment rates and an extended economic downturn have combined to drain the fund as checks written to unemployed Missourians have dwarfed the funds received from taxing employers, The Kansas City Star reported...

ST. LOUIS -- Citing media pursuit of jurors in the wrongful murder conviction of a St. Louis woman, the Missouri Supreme Court is preparing to enforce a proposal to shield from the public and press the names of jurors in criminal cases statewide. Backers of the move say it makes jurors safer, while critics argue the plan keeps the workings of the courts from scrutiny...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Federal grand jurors have accused two men of damaging an American Indian burial site by digging for artifacts at Southeast Missouri's Wappapello Lake. Steven Scott Tripp, 40, of Farmington, and William Thomas Cooksey, 53, of Union, were named in the two-count indictment returned Oct. 24 in U.S. District Court at Cape Girardeau...

GAUHATI, India -- In the winter of 1994, Jahnabi Goswami was a shy 17-year-old bride, her husband chosen by her family in the traditional Indian way. Today she is the first person in the northeastern state of Assam to publicly declare herself HIV-positive, having contracted the virus from her late husband...

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- The U.S. war on terror in Afghanistan is on track, and the United States will remain in the country carrying out combat operations and reconstruction projects "for as long as it takes," the U.S. general overseeing the war said Friday...

BEIJING -- Hu Jintao may be China's new top communist, but he's hardly letting it show. Two weeks after his debut as party general secretary, China's vice president has all but disappeared from view. Chinese state television has presented him on just a couple of occasions, and his other activities are unadvertised -- and largely unknown...

A search warrant served at a Cape Girardeau home Tuesday night yielded three methamphetamine-related arrests. Police served the warrant at 603 Timon Way, where they found numerous items of drug paraphernalia and precursor items used in the making of methamphetamine, said Lt. Ike Hammonds...

For 29 years, Birthright has served pregnant women in Cape Girardeau, and now the crisis pregnancy center is offering its help at a new location. Birthright outgrew its former home on Park Street and moved to a new location earlier this week at 2633 Hopper Road...

AmerenUE's new substation at Ellis and Independence in Cape Girardeau should be operational by the end of the year, the company's district manager said. Doug Groesbeck, AmerenUE district manager, said the new substation will replace one near the Cape Girardeau City Hall, a few blocks to the east. The existing substation is being relocated to make room for a new federal courthouse at the corner of Independence and Frederick...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Jerry Paul Johnson, 65, of Sikeston died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002, at his home. He was born April 3, 1937, at Kennett, Mo., son of Clifford Doyne and Opal Goldsmith Johnson. He and Patricia "Pat" Ann Billington were married Sept. 9, 1956, at Hernando, Miss...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Margaret Francis Womack Patt, 78, of St. Charles, Mo., and formerly of Lutesville, Mo., died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born July 21, 1924, at Lutesville, Mo., daughter of Lewis Emmanuel and Edna Josephine Johnson Mansker. She and John Womack were married Feb. 20, 1963. He preceded her in death. She later married Bill Patt. He also preceded her in death...

JONESBORO, Ill. -- Sidney Dixon, 75, of Jonesboro died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002, at his home. He was born July 10, 1927, at Dongola, Ill., son of Floyd and Beatrice Sowers Dixon. He was a member of Valley Mission Pentecostal Church and was a retired logger...

Grace Davis, 108, of Mount Vernon, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002, at the Mount Vernon Countryside Manor. She was born Jan. 26, 1894, at Benton, Ill., daughter of James Monroe and Mary Ellen Burk Rice. She married Charles Elever Davis. He died June 26, 1994...

ANNA, Ill. -- Terry Filter, 48, of Anna died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002. Survivors include his mother, Dorothy Filter of Jonesboro, Ill.; his father, Martin Filter of Marion, Ill.; and one brother, Martin Dean Filter of Tamms, Ill. Friends may call at Hileman & Parr Funeral Services from 11 a.m. until time of service Monday...

To the editor: In response to the article "Permit for Holcim cement plant is good news": I was troubled by your recent editorial alleging that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has engaged in "delay tactics" on some projects in Southeast Missouri. ...

To the editor: I was touched while reading your story about the 6-year-old boy from Brooklyn who has had such an impact on his young life from the tragic events of Sept. 11. I share the same name as the boy, except that I am 32 years of age and live on the other side of the world in Australia...

To the editor: Missouri roads could look much better if the state adopted the policy that Alabama has. Non-violent prisoners are used to pick up trash along the highways. With all of the negative perceptions, Alabama does have clean roadsides. DAVE EATHERTON...

Cape Girardeau County's presiding commissioner, Gerald Jones, won't be concerned just about his own county government next year. He'll have the concerns of all of Missouri's counties on his shoulders as president of the Missouri Association of Counties...

Administrators and lobbyists for Missouri's 62 hold-harmless school districts descended on St. Louis last week to discuss a strategy for what they consider the most important issue of the upcoming legislative session: booting their hold-harmless status for good...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, Nov. 30 The following items were released by the Cape Girardeau Police Department. Arrests do not imply guilt. DWI Cartez D. King, 29, of 1265 Kingsway was arrested Friday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Arrests Steven C. Pierce Sr., 40, of Elizabeth City, N.C., was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia...

Cape Girardeau Saturday, Nov. 30 Firefighters responded Thursday to the following items: At 4:26 p.m., emergency medical service at 543 Columbine. At 5 p.m., canceled call at William and Sprigg. At 6:33 p.m., alarm sounding at 1710 N. Sprigg. At 6:38 p.m., emergency medical service at 2549 Lynwood...

MOMBASA, Kenya -- With Israeli and American authorities casting suspicion on al-Qaida or its allies, Kenyan authorities investigating the twin assaults on Israeli targets there focused quickly on foreign suspects, reporting Friday they had arrested six Pakistanis, four Somalis, an American and a Spaniard...

TEHRAN, Iran -- Tens of thousands of people demonstrated Friday across the Middle East in a day of solidarity with Palestinians, with some calling for trying Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a war criminal and punishing the United States for supporting Israel...

Warren Sapp was doing his job -- a job he does rabidly, savagely and, by extension, better than just about everyone else in the world, past or present. You want to turn down the volume on Sapp's ferocity? You would have more luck trying to smother the sun with your hands...

NEW ORLEANS -- Southeast Missouri State University's players weren't sure how much having to play on consecutive days impacted Friday's 68-55 loss to Indiana State in the University Hoops Classic. But Southeast coach Gary Garner said he was certain that fatigue hampered the Indians, who fell to 1-1 in the six-team tournament. The Sycamores played their tournament opener Friday...

Southeast Missourian NEW ORLEANS -- It didn't take long to tumble back down to earth. One day after posting a surprisingly lopsided win over heavily favored Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Southeast Missouri State University lost to Indiana State 68-55 in Friday's second round of the University Hoops Classic at Tulane's Fogelman Arena...

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Wisconsin-Green Bay held Southeast Missouri State University to 16 first-half points and cruised to a 74-49 win Friday to kick off the two-day Oneida Bingo & Casino Women's Basketball Holiday Tournament. The Otahkians fell to 1-2 with the loss, their second straight after a defeat Tuesday at Southwest Missouri. The Otahkians shot just 20 percent from the field in the first half Friday...

Notre Dame's colors may be blue and white, but Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson was sporting Bulldog blond on Tuesday. Knudtson pulled out a blond wig after he presented Notre Dame's Class 2 state champion boys soccer team a proclamation honoring their feat...

Southeast Missouri's only state football championship contender will take its shot today in the Class 1 final in St. Louis. No. 2 Hayti (11-1) will meet No. 3 Adrian (12-1) at noon today for the state title at the Edward Jones Dome in the second day of state high school championships...

PITTSBURGH -- Jerome Bettis needs 66 yards to move into 10th on the NFL's career rushing list. To Bettis, though, there is only one man ahead of him: John Riggins. When the Pittsburgh Steelers' running back gets to No. 10, he will surpass Riggins as the leading rusher among big backs -- the power runners who pound out yardage, rather than accumulating it with bursts of speed and acceleration...

ST. LOUIS -- Pavol Demitra couldn't buy a goal early in the season. Against the Flames, he was a scoring machine. Demitra got three goals for his third career hat trick and added an assist as the Blues beat Calgary 7-2 Friday night. "This game probably happens once a year," Demitra said. "Every single puck jumped on my stick and every rebound went in. I got two easy goals and it just builds confidence."...

INDIANAPOLIS -- Purdue's Gene Keady was just starting his coaching career in 1962 when he attended a basketball clinic featuring John Wooden as a guest teacher. Wooden offered Keady a diagram of a last-second shot to use for his high school team. The play is still being used nearly 40 years later...

CRAWFORD, Texas -- Citing a state of national emergency brought on by last year's terrorist attacks, President Bush on Friday slashed the pay raises most civilian federal workers were to receive starting in January. Under a law passed in 1990, federal employees covered by the government's general schedule pay system would receive a two-part pay increase with the new year, a 3.1 percent across-the-board increase plus a pay hike based on private-sector wage changes in the areas where they work. ...

The family has a synagogue named after it, one member is on the board of governors for Hebrew University in Jerusalem and they just happen to live and run clothing stores in Cape Girardeau. Martin Hecht and his wife, Tootie, reflected the upbeat spirit that goes with Hanukkah, an eight-day "Festival of Lights" that began Friday...

Three months since the job was vacated, a hiring team is still determining exactly what Cape Girardeau needs in its next fire chief. City manager Michael Miller expects to receive criteria from the team in about a week to be used in advertisements, which will be sent to various firefighters associations across the country. However the ads may not appear in print until early next year, depending on publication deadlines, Miller said...

COOLUM, Australia -- John Daly threw his putter and ball into the water near the 18th green. Then he shook hands with his playing partners and walked alone up the fairway to his villa on the course. Daly was through for the afternoon -- and for the tournament -- after shooting a 78 Friday to complete a sad, frustrating few days at the Australian PGA...

The New York Jets won their opening game, then lost four straight. Now they've won four in a row and five of six heading into Monday night's game in Oakland. Why? Two tirades by coach Herman Edwards? No. More likely, it's the result of a team coming together after a bunch of offseason changes...

ST. LOUIS -- Rookie Lamar Gordon is recovered from a concussion and ready to be the Rams' stand-in starter for the third straight week in case Marshall Faulk is out again. Coach Mike Martz said Friday he'd wait until game day to decide whether Faulk, who has a high ankle sprain on his right leg, will be able to play. Faulk has not practiced this week and Martz said that's helped him recuperate from a troublesome injury, adding he's made "light years" of improvement...

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The detained leader of an Arab group was accused Friday of inciting racial riots in Antwerp following the killing of a teacher of Moroccan descent. Dyab Abou Jahjah, head of the Arab European League, will remain in jail over the weekend and face a hearing on Tuesday...

TOKYO -- An alleged U.S. Army deserter hospitalized in North Korea has turned down Japan's invitation to come for medical treatment and a reunion with his wife, because he fears arrest by the United States, the Kyodo news agency reported Friday. Charles Robert Jenkins is suffering from insomnia and tremors caused by emotional trauma, the Japanese news agency reported from Pyongyang. He has been hospitalized since Tuesday...

CHICAGO -- United Airlines said Friday it had begun urgent talks to win over mechanics who rejected wage cuts the company considers key in its bid to get badly needed loans. Wall Street analysts said bankruptcy for the world's No. 2 airline appears all but certain...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Most of the 20 states that offer prepaid college tuition plans are raising rates to stay afloat amid concerns the economic downturn and rising school fees could cause multimillion-dollar deficits. Some states also limited the number of new families allowed in the programs by shortening enrollment periods...

Early bird specials and marketing gimmicks drew bargain hunters to stores across the country Friday in what retailers hope will be a momentum-building kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Major retailers including Sears, Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart, as well as several mall operators, said shopper traffic was at least as healthy as the day after Thanksgiving a year ago...

NEW YORK -- In the nation's largest city, a record number of people are homeless, sleeping in shelters and streets, on subway platforms and cathedral steps -- and there are no easy solutions in sight. The slowing economy has led to jumps in homelessness across the nation, in places as disparate as Rhode Island and South Dakota. But in New York, struggling with the aftermath of terrorism, the effect has been particularly acute...

Canadians, Anglicans strike deal over lawsuits TORONTO -- The Canadian government and the Anglican Church of Canada have reached a tentative agreement to settle thousands of lawsuits Indians brought alleging abuse at aboriginal residential schools. The deal, if ratified by the groups involved, would save the Anglican national synod from bankruptcy. The church helped run the schools and, along with the government, was named as a defendant in the suits...

PHILADELPHIA -- It was supposed to be an important moment in American Judaism. Jewish leaders from around the country had booked themselves into a posh hotel near Philadelphia's historic district for the week before Hanukkah, expecting to hear results of a $6 million, yearlong study of U.S. Jews...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Before the gag order, before the quarterback got arrested, before one Florida coach left and another took his place, there was one story that would have overshadowed all else this week ahead of Florida vs. Florida State. The Battle of Twisted Knee...

INDIO, Calif. -- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson don't play practice rounds together. They never have played with or against each other in exhibitions like the World Cup or the Battle at Bighorn. If they have lunch together, it's usually by accident...

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Trace Armstrong began to believe the Oakland Raiders didn't think he had it anymore, especially as a 37-year-old defensive end recovering from major injury. His reps in practice were at a minimum, he was in the background as a member of Oakland's revamped defense, and he couldn't keep up with the rest of the Raiders' talented group of old guys...

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The Oklahoma-Oklahoma State football game is always about bragging rights for the players and fans. This year, it's personal for the coaches, too. Bob Stoops of No. 3 Oklahoma and Les Miles of Oklahoma State have traded barbs since shortly after last year's game, which the Cowboys won 16-13 to deprive Oklahoma of the Big 12 South title and a possible berth in the national championship game...

Helping the less fortunate is a holiday ideal, and during the holiday season the area is speckled with people asking for money. Most seeking donations are ringing bells for the Salvation Army at the doors of department stores and supermarkets. However, at the Interstate 55 overpass at William Street, homeless transients are also counting on drivers' generous holiday spirits and are asking for handouts...

A new sponsor and new name will add a twist to the annual boys' basketball Christmas tournament at the Show Me Center. The Southeast Missourian and seMissourian.com have become the primary sponsors of the 58th annual event, renamed the seMissourian Christmas Basketball Tournament. The event will be Dec. 26 through 30...

JACKSON, Mo. -- With standout senior Jenna Leet and a strong supporting cast leading the way, Jackson girls' coach Ron Cook said he's excited about his team's prospects for the coming season. The Indians went 18-9 last year, losing to Poplar Bluff in the district finals. The Mules went on to finish third in the state...

JACKSON, Mo. -- Coach Mike Kiehne looks to put a typical Jackson boys' team on the floor this season -- meaning he expects the Indians to be gritty and competitive. Just don't ask Kiehne to make a prediction regarding how successful they might wind up...

Eagle Ridge Christian School's goal this season is a simple one: Get the ball into the hands of 6-foot-4 senior Andrew Mellies and see how far he can go. After a .500 season, Eagle Ridge will have a strong core coming back. The Eagles will look to freshman point guard Joel Powell, junior small forward Daniel Ellinghouse, sophomore guard T.J. Crowden, junior power forward Phillip Brock and senior small forward Derek Rose to pick up the rest of the scoring duties...

BENTON, Mo. -- Put last season's 23-5 team and its district runner-up finish out of your memory. Kelly girls' basketball coach Rod McQuerter already has. "We're not talking about trying to repeat anything we did last season or any other goals like that," McQuerter said. "Our goal is to play hard and compete. That's it."...

PATTON, Mo. -- Meadow Heights is coming off its first winning season in more than 13 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Returning five experienced players, the Panthers look to play deep into their bench. "We go deep," said second-year coach Tom Brown, whose squad went 15-11 last year. "We have seven players who can really score, but we go nine deep."...

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- With a late surge in the final month of the season, Leopold improved to 10-15 last season and went on to win the Mississippi Valley Conference title. After losing only one starter from last year's squad, the Wildcats look to build on their late season run and put together a winning season...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- For a team that lost its starting point guard and a team that has no one older than a sophomore, the New Salem Baptist Academy girls' squad at least got off to a solid start. The team raced to a 4-1 record last week after winning a tournament title at Blytheville, Ark...

Notre Dame boys' basketball coach Darrin Scott is counting on a strong senior class mixed with a solid group of underclassman to pave the way for another successful season. The Bulldogs went 21-8 last year, losing to Charleston in the district finals. That was preceded by a 20-9, district championship performance during Scott's first season at Notre Dame...

ORAN, Mo. -- With all five starters returning and only one player lost from last season, the Oran Eagles look to be in prime shape to improve on their 21-7 record from a year ago. Post player Nathan Seyer will look to head up the cast of returning starters, bringing back a 17 points-per-game average. Right behind him will be the outside game of Ryne Wood, who averaged 16 points last season...

ORAN, Mo. -- After graduating four senior starters, including star center Maria Eftink and her 21 points per game, Oran's girls look like they could face a time of transition. "It'll be a rebuilding year as far as varsity goes," Eagles coach Susan Diebold said...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- It's been said that change is good, but for some reason the required transition period can be less than smooth. For Scott City, a lot changed last season. Former assistant coach Kerry Thompson took over the reins of a perennial 20-win program built by former coach Derek McCord...

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- With a new coach comes growing pains -- something Paul Taylor will try to avoid after a solid run by the Pirates the past few years. Unfortunately for Taylor, he won't have the luxury of 6-foot-6 center Chad Ozark commanding the low posts. Taylor will have to rely on a group with solid varsity experience but without much in the way of starting experience...

DELTA, Mo. -- Not all theories test out positive. But Delta girls' coach Randy White thinks he's on to a theory that has stood the test of time. "As long as you reach your potential, then you've had a successful season," White said. "I don't worry about the wins and losses. I just want to play hard, smart basketball and let the wins and losses take care of themselves."...

DELTA, Mo. -- Delta boys' coach Robert Stein says this could be the year his team turns the corner. The Bobcats may not win 20 games or their district, but according to Stein they won't have to. "To turn things around you have to win games no one expects you to win," Stein said. "This could be a turning year for us."...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- For the first time in a long time the Chaffee Red Devils will have the same coach running things from the bench consecutive years. David Mirly is optimistic that his commitment to the program will help the Red Devils improve upon a 6-18 season...

Inside the hushed Textile Conservation Laboratory at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, workers spend the day bending over centuries-old tapestries and carpets from collections nationwide, carefully analyzing fiber, cleaning and re-warping. They never expected one of their greatest challenges to come from home...

Derrick, 11, has a Christmas wish list that includes blocks, coloring books, and remote-controlled and model cars. His brother, Don, 6, wants the same things. But their 4-year-old brother, Daniel, wants books, Scooby-Doo toys and Lego blocks. The youngest member of the family, 3-year-old Douglas, is a big fan of Barney. He also wants some cars and trucks to play with...

Mrs. G has barely enough to pay her bills, let alone buy the medicine she needs. And Mrs. G could benefit greatly from some holiday cheer. She lives alone in an apartment building. Her only son does help with errands from time to time. She is diabetic and has arthritis. She suffered from cervical cancer in 1999 and has heart problems now...

Basketball The Cavaliers are headed to Miami and New York without guard Ricky Davis. Davis was suspended for two games by Cleveland coach John Lucas for "disciplinary reasons" following Friday night's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers...

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- On the ground and able to peer "under the roofs" of suspected weapons storage sites once visible only in satellite photos, U.N. weapons inspectors have gone to work with brisk efficiency and found the Iraqis opening doors for them...

The threats to take the St. Louis Cardinals out of St. Louis were starting to look serious. The team's owners wanted a new stadium and a new commercial and residential complex to go along with it. They wanted Missouri taxpayers to pay for it. And they wanted it now...

MIAMI -- With only four hurricanes, the Atlantic storm season that ends today was the calmest in five years, and forecasters were thanking the climate phenomenon known as El Nino. Don't expect such help next year, though: Storm expert William Gray said El Nino will probably be gone before the new season begins July 1, and he echoed the concerns of other forecasters over the potential for a killer storm...

The future looks bright for Central girls basketball, and not just because the Tigers return four starters from a 17-9 season. The school has hired a freshman coach -- former Southeast Missouri State University player Kristy Roherty -- and will play its first freshman schedule. And at an even lower level, basketball has been instituted in the fifth and sixth grades...

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- While the Chaffee Red Devils are still rebuilding, coach Tammy Brock, who also coaches seventh grade, eighth grade and junior varsity, can at least be sure her players won't have to worry about being unfamiliar with her girls' basketball system...

BENTON, Mo. -- Put last season's 23-5 team and its district runner-up finish out of your memory. Kelly girls' basketball coach Rod McQuerter already has. "We're not talking about trying to repeat anything we did last season or any other goals like that," McQuerter said. "Our goal is to play hard and compete. That's it."...

ADVANCE, Mo. -- After back-to-back strong seasons, the Advance Hornets look to be in good position in the competitive Stoddard County Conference. With a combined 38 wins in the past two seasons and four of their top seven players coming back, coach Jim Hall says he's excited about the Hornets' chances...

There may not be a team around that doesn't relish a sparkling new 0-0 record than the Central Tigers. The Tigers of second-year coach Derek McCord are putting behind an injury-plagued, undersized, youthful season that ended at 4-21. "It was a tough year for us," said McCord of his first year at Central after a successful run at Scott City. "We really bit the bullet with the young guys."...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- After an 11-14 season, second-year Scott City girls' coach Mike Johnson has expectations that will probably exceed those many coaches in the area have for his Rams. "I think some people are going to be surprised with the turnaround I think we'll be able to make this year," Johnson said. "They might look at our record and not expect the type of team we'll be able put on the floor."...

After three strong seasons that featured a 62-28 record and the program's first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, Southeast Missouri State University's men virtually hit rock bottom last year. The Indians' 6-22 record left everybody in the program feeling down...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- It's been said that change is good, but for some reason the required transition period can be less than smooth. For Scott City, a lot changed last season. Former assistant coach Kerry Thompson took over the reins of a perennial 20-win program built by former coach Derek McCord...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Curtis Finley's first season at Woodland was, by the girls' basketball program's standards, a breakthrough. Building on that in his second year could be a challenge with the Cardinals facing a lack of experience and size. "We're young and small, but we're coming into the season optimistic and confident that we're getting better," Finley said. ...

They're bargain-bound and sleep-deprived -- they're Black Friday shoppers. They don't mind standing in chilly parking lots before dawn if it means getting a free game with the new Game Boy Advance or a complimentary snow globe. And while they don't necessarily cherish jam-packed stores or impossibly long lines, they'll deal with them if it means getting a Bob the Builder toy or 70 percent off "fine and precious" jewelry...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- It was about 8 a.m. on one of the top shopping days of the year, and S & P Variety Store had not yet opened. But that didn't stop one animal. He jumped through the store's plate-glass window. A three-point, white-tailed deer somehow made it across the intersection at Pine and Fifth streets Friday morning. He ran across a parking lot, stopped for a car on Vine Street in front of the store, then bolted and jumped through the window, witnesses said...

MOUNT WASHINGTON, N.H. -- An avalanche on Mount Washington slammed into a trio of climbing parties Friday, killing two men, officials said. Seven people in all were swept 1,000 feet down Tuckerman Ravine just before 11:30 a.m., state Fish and Game Lt. Martin Garabedian said. Others climbing in the area called for help...

LOS ANGELES -- Zsa Zsa Gabor remained in serious condition Friday but was breathing on her own after she was injured in a Sunset Boulevard car crash, her husband said. "She's getting better, she recovered a little last night," Frederic von Anhalt said from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center...

CHICAGO -- United Airlines said Friday it had begun urgent talks to win over mechanics who rejected wage cuts the company considers key in its bid to get badly needed loans. Wall Street analysts said bankruptcy for the world's No. 2 airline appears all but certain...

JERUSALEM -- A U.S.-backed plan for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict won't be ready by its Dec. 20 target date and may be delayed until after the Israeli elections a month later, a Palestinian official said Friday. Separately, another influential Palestinian joined Friday in criticizing the Palestinian uprising that has left 1,954 Palestinians and 683 Israelis dead in 26 months of fighting...

ATHENS, Greece -- Greek army experts removed a World War II bomb Friday at Athens' former international airport, which will become a sports venue for the 2004 Olympics. The 250-pound bomb was found by work crews Thursday, buried eight feet down near a former runway...

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia -- A Russian soldier apparently under the influence of narcotics opened fire on fellow servicemen, killing at least eight of them and wounding three others -- the latest in a string of shooting sprees in the nation's demoralized military...

PARIS -- As French President Jacques Chirac marked his 70th birthday on Friday, Britain's Tony Blair tried to smooth over a recent quarrel by offering congratulations. The British prime minister joked about their harsh exchange of words in a column published Thursday in Paris Match magazine, writing, "As I have good reason to believe, Jacques Chirac is not the type to become a calm 70-year-old."...

ROME -- Italy's government gave the go-ahead Friday to the first chunk of money for an ambitious plan to save waterlogged Venice, authorizing some $450 million to build hinged barriers that will rise up in the sea to block the tides. The "Moses Project" -- named after the Biblical figure who parted the Red Sea -- should receive the money over three years, the Interministerial Committee for Economic Programming said Friday. The go-ahead came more than a year after the plan was first approved...